Jaelen Strong NFL Draft 2015: Scouting Report, Grade for Texans Rookie

STRENGTHS

Jaelen Strong plays big, he plays mean and he takes over the game when the ball is in his hands.

Throw the ball up and Strong will go get it. He doesn’t shy away from contested catches and has the strength to pull the ball down in traffic. He routinely saw bracket coverage in college and was able to split defenders and use his wingspan and jumping ability to generate a huge catch radius. He tracks the ball well over either shoulder and adjusts his hands to passes thrown off target.

Strong has quick, sure hands. He’s a pill to jam at the line due to his arm length (32 ½") and his strength coming off the line, and he understands leverage and can get a clean release in press coverage.

WEAKNESSES

Strong spent just two seasons at Arizona State after transferring from Pierce College, where he sat out his freshman year due to academic reasons. Strong is a raw route-runner, and what he is right now as a technician may worry some. You’re drafting Strong to be a deep threat right now while working on him as a route-runner.

His deep speed to separate isn’t ideal, and he didn’t wow with quick-twitch or agility numbers. Strong may never be more than a possession receiver and is a gamble as a No. 1 receiver.

2014 STATISTICS

Receptions 82, Yards 1165, Receiving Touchdowns 10

PRO COMPARISON: Alshon Jeffery, Chicago Bears

A master of the contested catch, Strong is an Alshon Jeffery clone: a big receiver without great speed but with the hands to be a star.

FINAL GRADE: 6.49/9.00 (Rookie Starter)